President Orders Review of California Emissions Waiver

On January 26, President Obama signed an executive order requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review its denial of California’s request to set auto emissions standards at stricter levels than those set by national standards. “The federal government must work with, not against, states to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions,” he said. “California has shown bold and bipartisan leadership through its effort to forge 21st-century standards, and over a dozen states have followed its lead. But instead of serving as a partner, Washington stood in their way.”

California initially attempted to obtain a waiver in 2005 under the Clean Air Act that required automakers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 30 percent for new cars and trucks by 2016. In 2007, the EPA rejected this waiver on the grounds that only the federal government could impose GHG emission standards for cars. California is now attempting to overturn that initial ruling by pleading its case with the new administration. Although the EPA will have to go through an official review process, which could take months, the President made it clear that he expects California’s rules to be approved.

Many environmentalists and Democrats applauded the announcement, and Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said, “An immediate EPA review of the waiver decision shows respect for California and the 18 other states–representing more than half the US population–who are waiting for the green light to address global warming pollution from motor vehicles.” Skepticism was voiced by Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), who said, “The federal government should not be piling on an industry already hurting in a time like this.”

President Obama has also ordered the Department of Transportation to set stricter fuel economy standards for the 2011 model year. In addition to reducing emissions, he stated, “This rule will be a down payment on a broader and sustained effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

For additional information see:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/26/MNMF15GTPU.D...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/26/obama-white-house-emissions-...
http://uk.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUKN2638951420090126
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iwQPi1zBwSkESqzo91GR9...